I am just starting this thread to better familiarize with the supporter groups in Seattle already existing. I believe there are 2 I know of: Emerald City Supporters and Sounder Nation. Correct? Are there any others? If seattle gets a team would these two groups remain the focus point or would we have more groups representing other areas/neighbourhoods? example: Say we have groups from: Seattle North Seattle Tacoma/Renton Bellingham Olympia East Side etc.. Would we create a group for each and then assign a "president" for each? SO that for every game the separate groups can share money for transportation and then show up? Or for away games say one group cant make it, then the group presidents will decide which group should go to an away game? I am just thinking out loud. The reason I like many smaller groups is because of flexibility and also because they can bring in numbers. Look at section 8 shicago...they have like 8-10 supporter groups from different areas representing different ethnicities.
There is only one active supporters group in Seattle: ECS (Emerald City Supporters) Sounder Nation is a dormant website run by an ECS guy. The "Sounders Legion" is a group that tried to make a splash this year, but nothing has come of it so far.
When the Seahawks began back in the mid 1970's this happened. There were the "Kirkland Seahawkers," "Mizzoula Seahawkers," "Ancorage Seahawkers," etc. Kingdome facades were filled with banners from all the different groups that represent the northwest and beyond. I could see that happening with MLS Seattle, too. The issue here is getting more people to actively talk and post on these forums and over at www.GOALSeattle.com Right now we've got about 50 people posting, and 8-10k people checking in and reading.
the idea of different townships might lend itself well to seattle. not sure of the dynamics here, but that can only help to get more people from further away become part of the soccer community via their own community. what has worked well for dc united is having the groups (barra brava, dc united, el norte) all purchase a block of sections field side and next to each other so as have larger presence. even though rfk might not always have 45k in the stands, these groups feed off of each other and add to atmosphere greatly!
So... An Armada? A Fleet? Foot Soldiers? I am talking about the folks who would hit the soccer matches to sell Seattle MLS tickets to Ma and Pa McSoccerfan, and host the player-fan dinners, etc. The ECS can remain the rowdies.
I have tried to get a hold of Bart for the last 3 years about selling tickets in the Pierce and Thurston County areas. Never get a response. I have worked in radio for several years and know quite a few "contacts" that could be useful in getting the word out....... I would very much "love" to be involved as a ticket rep for MLS Seattle.
If you think you can get enough people involved in subgroups please feel free to bring 'em here: http://weareecs.com/phpBB/index.php and you can have your own forum. Your call if you're interested.
www.GOALSeattle.com has been offered as a place for Seattle soccer fans who are not into the ultras culture to meet and plan support for Seattle MLS. Scott47a and I have talked about this in the past, and more will be coming soon. Jump on in if you like soccer but aren't sure about or know you don't see yourself as a part of the 'hardcore' fan experience. http://goalseattle1.proboards101.com/index.cgi
ECS isn't about Ultras. That's the whole point. If you want to belong to the supporters group it is an open experience to anyone. At some point there might be subgroups but until its even relevant we're all one big happy ECS. While there may be Ultras-influenced things that we do, it's still all about coming out and supporting the boys for 90+. The vision still remains: ECS as a parent group and then sub-groups growing out of it. But without enough folks in ECS, there's no point in spin-offs.
I have a feeling Seattle MLS will be a big hit in the U district, there are a ton of soccer fanatics here. I'd be down to start something up here.
that is what i am saying i lived in Fairhaven and played in the coed summer league up in bellingham it was really fun and there were a ton of teams! getting these folks involved is key! i will be renting in queen anne when I move to seattle. i wonder about how many soccer peeps there are there?
I do think that in the future we will have regional sub-groups all under the E.C.S. umbrella. The Seattle area is too large not to. North End Ultras anyone? For now, I think that the E.C.S. works well, as you don't have to be in 113/stand with the ultras to be in the E.C.S.